Which concept refers to performance established in one time and place now occurring in a different time and place?

• A. Generalization
• B. Maintenance
• C. Transfer of control
• D. Stimulus Control

Answer: (A)

Generalization occurs when a behavior learned in one setting or at one time starts to appear in different settings, at different times, or with different people or stimuli. This shows the behavior transferring beyond the training environment into real-life situations. For example, if a child learns to say “please” during therapy with a clinician, and then starts saying “please” at home or at school with family or teachers, that demonstrates generalization across settings and times. Maintenance is about how long the behavior lasts after reinforcement stops, transfer of control is about shifting what stimulus or cue controls the behavior, and stimulus control concerns how strongly a behavior is triggered by a particular antecedent. The scenario described best fits generalization.